There are times when we have to make large-scale changes to postal addresses.  This may be when new building developments such as housing estates or business parks in an already densely populated area leave us no free Postcodes left to allocate.  Due to the geographical nature of the Postcode system we then consider the wider area and allocate new Postcode sectors and Postcodes.  This may also apply in the cases of demolished buildings.   Although we would like new addresses to be used straight away, we realise that this is not always possible and therefore allow a changeover period of 12 months.

We know it can be a pain if we allocate your address or customer's address a new Postcode, but having up-to-date information on major Postcode and address re-allocations every six months gives you enough time to renew your data and stay ahead of the game.  This 6-monthly summary is known as a 'Postcode Update' and can help minimise the inconvenience and make sure your records are accurately addressed.  The summary of the most recent changes is in the Document Library below to download.

There are many other changes happening to addresses and Postcodes on a daily basis.  These aren’t included in Postcode Update but are incorporated along with large-scale changes into the Postcode Address File (PAF®).  Why not visit our PAF Quality page to find out more?

• Latest major Postcode and address changes across the UK.
• FREE to download below.

The latest Postcode Update (No 50) summarises changes from September 2009 to March 2010.  There was very limited activity: 1 minor locality change/correction, a couple of new PO Box sectors and an additional non-geographic sectors. These changes are summarised as a pdf, downloadable from the Document Library below.

There are no major recodes planned for the next Postcode Update, No. 51,  in 6 months' time.

In the Document Library below you'll find summaries of the last three Postcode Updates and a Historical information document.  We only supply address details for the last two years, because addresses older than this can cause sorting problems in our operation.

Some information is held as .txt files, and we've provided a  file specification explaining the layout of these .txt files in the General section of the Document Library.

• Postcode Update 47 summarises changes made between March & September 2008.  with no major Postcode and address changes.
• Postcode Update 48 summarises changes made between September 2008 & March 2009, with no major Postcode and address changes.
• Postcode Update 49 summarises changes made between March & September 2009, with no major Postcode and address changes. 

You can download our PAF® Code of Practice from the Document Library below, which gives more information about why we change Postcodes and addresses, and what to do if you want to change part of your address. This Code was produced in conjuction with Consumer Focus, the independent consumer council for postal services (used to be called 'Postwatch').

• To open the Zip file you need to have unzipping software on your PC
• Alternatively you may email address.management@royalmail.com and ask us to send you an unzipped version